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Classes

Recreational Tree Climbing - 12 Hours

►Private Instruction for Anyone

One participant

$325

Two, Three, or Four Participants

$175/person

More than Four Participants

Call 607-254-2798

Recreational Tree Climbing is a comprehensive course for individuals or small groups wishing to learn how to climb trees safely. Taught by our senior tree staff, this class covers all the basic skills of tree hazard assessment, line placement, ascending, descending and moving around in the canopy. All equipment is included. No experience is necessary. Organize the hours however you'd like - three days or four hours, or two days of six. You can request a lesson on any of the days available on our calendar of events.

Recreational Tree Climbing - 16 hours

►Private Instruction for Anyone

One participant

$395

Two, Three, or Four Participants

$225/person

More than Four Participants

Call 607-254-2798

The 16 hour version of the Recreational Tree Climbing class covers the same skills as the 12 hour lesson with more time to practice and develop the various skills. An excellent option for those with a professional interest in tree climbing, or just a need to spend a little more time learning "the ropes." Taught by our senior tree staff, this class also covers all the basic skills of tree hazard assessment, line placement, ascending, descending and moving around in the canopy. All equipment is included. No experience is necessary. Spread the 16 hours over however many sessions you'd like. Some people prefer three days, some are up for two long days of 8 hours each. You can request a lesson on any of the days available on our calendar of events.

Canopy Researcher Training - 16

►Scientists and Professionals

One participant

$395

Two, three, or four participants

$225/person

More than four participants

Call 607-254-2798

This course is aimed at researchers who need to access and move around in canopies. This course covers SRT and DRT techniques with special emphasis on low impact canopy movement and gear organization. Several of our senior staff have extensive experience climbing in the tropical rain forest and will be able to assist you not only with climbing, but also safety issues specific to tropical climbing environments. All equipment is included. No experience is necessary. Spread the 16 hours over however many sessions you'd like. Some people prefer three or four days, some are up for two long days of 8 hours each. You can request a lesson on any of the days available on our calendar of events.

Educator's Recreational Tree Climbing - 16

►People wanting to learn to Teach Tree Climbing

One participant

$395

Two, three, or four participants

$225/person

More than four participants

Call 607-254-2798

This course employs basic climbing systems to explore teaching progressions and procedures for managing groups in the treetops. In addition to the standard recreational tree climbing curriculum, this course covers rigging for rescue and supervision of participants in a treetop overnight. Experience with basic climbing and lowering skills is suggested. All gear is included. You can request a lesson on any of the days available on our calendar of events.

Youth Recreational Tree Climbing

►Youth Groups, Birthday Parties

$45 / per Participant

Youth Recreational Tree Climbing is designed to help kids ages 8 to 18 learn how to climb trees safely. Participants will learn the basics of getting ropes into trees, ascending a fixed line up, and rappelling back down to the ground. All gear is provided, and no experience is necessary- a great beginning lesson for a scout group, youth club, or birthday party expedition. Minimum of three hours. Minimum groups size is four participants. (For kids under age 8 we recommend Private Instruction. See the listing above.) You can request a lesson on any of the days available on our calendar of events.

Custom Courses

If you are interested in designing a custom course, below is a sample list of lessons that we could incorporate in a course.

Tree hazard identification

Line insertion

Hauling

Single rope techniques

Double rope techniques

Alternative climbing styles (direct aid, unicender, etc.)

Rappelling

Tree to tree traverse

Managing students in trees

High Angle Rescue

PE Credit Tree Climbing

►Cornell Students and Community

Students

$325

Staff / Faculty

$360

Community and the Public

$405

Our PE credit courses are offered three times per semester in Ithaca, New York, and once a year in Costa Rica. Taught in a group setting, these courses cover the basics of tree hazard assessment, line placement, ascending, descending and moving around in the canopy. We visit several locations around the areas, sampling a few different environments and tree species. A much anticipated highlight of our local and international courses is the tree overnight. We have the option of camping out on our tree platforms or sleeping suspended in hammocks between branches of the same tree! All equipment is included in the course fee. For more information see our PE courses page.

Redwoods Tree Climbing

Join Cornell Tree Climbing Institute staff for the experience of a lifetime - climbing some of the largest trees on the planet! In late May we will travel to the western slope of the High Sierra mountains of California. We'll spend a week assisting the UC Berkeley Department of Forest Ecology with Giant Sequoia restoration and ecology research.

You will learn the basics of roped tree climbing, including ascending, moving around in the canopy, and rappelling. Weather permitting, students can look forward to a hammock overnight in the top of the canopy. We will stay in a rustic mountain house with electricty, running water, and hot showers. All gear, instruction, food and lodging, and on-ground transportation is included in the course fee.

Costa Rica Tree Climbing

Big tropical trees. Howler Monkeys. Exotic bryophytes. The rainforest canopy is home to many arboreal animals: rare frogs, toucans, monkeys, orchids and this January, to Cornell students! If you're itching for a new cultural experience and excited to explore the canopy first hand, this is it. See more details here: https://coe.cornell.edu/costa-rica-tree-climbing

About Cornell Tree Climbing

The Cornell Tree Climbing Institute promotes safe and environmentally responsible tree climbing techniques for recreation, education, and research through active learning and collaboration. Founded in 2005, Cornell Tree Climbing is an offering of Cornell Outdoor Education.